When the Voice of America Bethany site was decommissioned, the 7.2m satellite dish was abandoned. WCARA members, principally Jim Miller (N8ECI) and Mike Murphy (KA8ABR) took the responsibility to convert it into a 10GHZ EME installation.
The dish is a Model KXK 7.2M (24′) Ku-band satellite antenna by Vertex/RSI. 54dB gain in 0.28 degree beam width.
Conversion to EME involved both mechanical and electronic work. Some of the mechanical drive components were removed, and had to be replaced. A LNA had to be installed, as well as the down conversion electronics and switching system between receive and transmit.